Mapping SGI’s intent and purpose with Sustainable Development Goals

A journey and its purpose, no matter how big, become easier
to map if you have the destination and the roadmap clear in your mind. Mahatma
Gandhi’s words, “Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man you have seen,
and ask yourself if this step you contemplate is going to be any use to him,”
have rightly guided many a social organization, including Sustainable Green
Initiative.

Now, the 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nationshave emerged
as the touchstone for activities that are geared to making the world a better
place. Also known as Global Goals, these SDGs are a universal call to action to
address issues such as poverty, climate change and ensure that all people enjoy
peace and prosperity. SGI’s planting activities and methodology address seven of these seventeen SDGs:

End poverty in all its forms and everywhere:
Fruit trees in homesteads and farms of small and marginal farmers means an alternate
source of income and nutrition for them.

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and
promotes sustainable agriculture: Fruits from these
trees come to the rescue in times of crop failure and provide a source of
nutrition to the farmer and her family. The saplings are nurtured without use
of chemical and artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Deep-root watering
techniques along with drip irrigation ensure sustainable agriculture practices.

Ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all
ages: The nutrition content of native fruit species meet a number
of dietary requirements for a healthy body, especially for women and children
who stay at home.

Ensure access to water and sanitation for all:
Increased precipitation owing to increasing green cover helps recharge
groundwater. We also encourage and implement rainwater harvesting in the
planting areas.

Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth,
employment and decent work for all: After nurturing
the saplings for three years, the next stage will be to assist marginal farmers
and low-income homes to market their organic product in the local market and
also process them in the form of jams, juices and squashes. This will also
address forced migration.

Take urgent action to tackle climate change and its impact:
SGI’s key focus is to reverse deforestation, increase the green cover by
planting native species, help grow mixed forests of both fast-growing
fruit-bearing species such as papaya and banana, as well as long-lasting trees
of walnuts, mango, guava, litchi, etc.

Sustainably manage forests, combat deforestation, halt and
reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss:
Orienting and supporting communities so that they not only protect and nurture
these fruit forests of native species, but are also encouraged and advised to
increase the green cover by planting fodder trees as well. The result of these
activities leads to reduced soil erosion and improved fertility with the help
of organic farming, hence supporting a larger variety of agro-biodiversity.